LIQUID PACKAGING CARTON MARKET ANALYSIS

Global Liquid Packaging Carton market was valued at US$ 9.2 Bn in 2022, and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 6.48 %, in terms of revenue, over the forecast period (2023-2030) to reach US$ 15.2 Bn by 2030. Liquid packaging cartons are mainly used to package beverages and dairy products to ensure proper preservation, convenience, and others protection from damage. They are mostly made up of paperboard and aluminum and plastic products. These containers enable safe and easy transportation of liquid food products such as soft drinks and juices. Also, they prevent contamination and other damage to the liquid food product. These are highly in demand among manufacturers due to their various benefits such as maneuverability, recyclability, convenience, and eco-friendly nature. They are available in various shapes and sizes as per the application and also offer easy manufacturing as per the demand. For instance, In June 2020, ELOPAK AS introduced Pure-Pak Imagine, one of the most environmentally friendly cartons. It is a modernized version of the original Pure-Pak carton, with an easy-open feature.

Global Liquid Packaging Cartons Market - Impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic

Following COVID-19, the food and beverage industry experienced significant impact, negatively affecting the liquid packaging carton market. The unprecedented lockdowns across various countries during the initial phase of COVID-19 restrictions caused havoc among consumers. During the initial period of COVID-19 restrictions, this resulted in the stockpiling of packaged beverages such as juices and dairy products, increasing demand for liquid packaging cartons.

Later on in the lockdown, soda companies were impacted by aluminum shortages brought on by the closure of recycling facilities and flavoring shortages. When arenas and sporting venues closed, the demand for packaged food and beverages decreased, which in turn decreased the use of liquid packaging cartons in the food services industry. Although packaged beverage consumption at home rose, out-of-home consumption, which historically generates the highest margin, almost came to a stop. 

Global Liquid Packaging Carton Market: Growth Drivers

Demand for environmentally friendly packaging cartons

From both a customer and business perspective, switching to eco-friendly packaging has many obvious advantages. Additionally, a conscious consumer is someone who makes wise decisions about their purchases and believes in the ecological, social, environmental, and political influence of products. The market for liquid packaging cartons is also expanding due to consumer demand for environmentally friendly packaging materials. This is so because the packaging industry has the biggest environmental impact. Consequently, the need for environmentally friendly packaging solutions is fueling the market's expansion. The market's expansion is also influenced by the packaging material's ability to be reused. For instance, Elopak ASA and Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd. signed a thorough Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in February 2022. The agreement examines how future businesses might be established and organized in conjunction given the networks, assets, and areas of expertise of the two organizations, and it covers further cooperation between them. The Elopak ASA Company offers packaging supplies for liquid food products, as well as renders additional services. Nippon Paper Industries Co Ltd (NPI) is a manufacturer of paper and related products.

Global Liquid Packaging Carton Market: Market Restraints

High price of raw materials and high preferences for a plastic container

High preferences for plastic containers for packaging liquid food product as it offers easy transportation and cost-effective benefits is expected to hamper the demand for liquid packaging cartons. High-density polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate are highly preferred plastic materials. Moreover, plastic is also lightweight, corrosion resistant, and offers excellent thermal insulation properties which are further expected to augment the market growth over the forecast period.

The high price of raw materials used to manufacture packaging cartons for food is expected to restrict the demand for this product. This is expected to curb the market growth of liquid packaging cartons.

Global Liquid Packaging Carton Market: Market Segmentation

On the basis of application, juice & drinks dominated the global liquid packaging cartons market in 2022 with around 44% of the market share in terms of revenue, followed by dairy products and wine & spirits, respectively. Growing demand for large-size liquid packaging cartons is expected to propel the market growth of liquid packaging cartons. Moreover, the growing trend of shaped cartons for advertising and promotional tool to create brand awareness is expected to bolster the market growth. Various companies are shifting their focus towards increasing the production of shaped cartons to stand apart from their competitors. This is expected to foster the market growth of liquid packaging cartons.

Increasing demand for ready-to-carry food due to the growing working population is expected to accelerate the market growth of liquid packaging cartons. Moreover, the advent of twist caps for liquid packaging cartons is another major trend observed in the liquid packaging market for providing easy handling and closure options for consumers. Hence, this trend is expected to augment the market growth of liquid packaging cartons over the forecast period.

Figure 1. Global Liquid Packaging Cartons Market, By Application, in 2022

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Global Liquid Packaging Carton Market: Regional Analysis

The liquid packaging cartons market is dominated by Europe, which is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 3.5% over the forecast period. Several companies in France use liquid carton packaging to promote the circular economy and sustainable industry practices. For instance, French milk producer, Danone, produced Dugro in carton packaging so that infants and toddlers could carry milk with them. In addition, the government modified its tax laws, which resulted in a 10% price increase for goods, to stop and reduce the use of non-recyclable packaging. The result of all such actions is the use of carton packaging for liquid products like milk and juices. Numerous studies have found that the majority of British citizens are aware of the benefits of recycled goods. This understanding is expected to increase over the next few years as efforts are made to switch to more environmentally friendly packaging options, like liquid cartons.

Additionally, Tesco worked with Alliance for Beverage Cartons and the Environment (ACE UK) on a five-month pilot project to collect beverage cartons at in-store recycling bins. To gauge how prepared customers are to bring their own recycling, eleven Tesco stores will install carton recycling stations. Returning the packaging to the shops for recycling. Carton packaging is frequently used for fruit juice, liquids that fit in a lunchbox, soups, pasta, and custard. Only 68% of councils do, however, collect packing at the curb. The circular economy movement is also supported by the majority of European countries. The European Green Deal's goals can be supported by using beverage cartons as a low-carbon, recyclable packaging option, according to the Alliance for Beverage Carton and the Environment (ACE).

Figure 2. Global Liquid Packaging Cartons Market, By Region, 2022

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Global Liquid Packaging Carton Market: Recent Developments

• In 2022, Mondi plc, announced that it will invest approximately US$ 5 million in a new research and development (R&D) facility at Mondi Steinfeld in Germany. Pactiv Evergreen Inc., on the other hand, announced the launch of its new Tamper Evident Fry Cartons to meet the evolving needs of today's food service operators.
• In July 2022, Pactiv Evergreen launched the new PlantCarton Life School Program at School Nutrition Conference.
• In October 2022, Refresco Group NV announced that it would be expanding into Australia and acquiring Tru Blu Beverages Pty Ltd, one of the producers of non-alcoholic beverages. The acquisition may further solidify the business's position as a provider of beverage solutions to global leaders in retail and branded customers as well as open up new growth prospects.

Global Liquid Packaging Carton Market: Key Companies

Key players operating in the global liquid packaging cartons market are Elopak Inc., Evergreen Packaging Inc., IPI S.R.L., Refresco Gerber N.V., SIG Combibloc GmbH, Tetra Pak Inc., Weyerhaeuser Company, Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd, TidePak Aseptic Packaging Material Co., Ltd, and Adam Pack S.A.

*Definition: Global liquid packaging cartons are multi-ply paperboard containers that are stiff and used for packaging and shipping a variety of food and beverage products as well as non-edible liquids like oils, fuels, and cleansers. They are made to safeguard content security and provide protection from external pollutants, thereby extending the shelf life of the product. Liquid packaging cartons are adaptable, light, recyclable, affordable, and environmentally friendly.